Mothering Sunday

Today I am having a special day with my children and also thankful for my own mum, who because of her work today and my parliamentary selection yesterday I’m not able to see this weekend. But I am also sparing a thought of all those for whom Mothering Sunday doesn’t …

Budget setting: we must campaign for a Labour government and take measures to protect services now

In my speech last night at full council I focused on the government’s abandonment of adult social care and how we are responding in Reading.  If you click on the link you can watch all of our speeches. The text of my speech is below: I know no councillor in …

Reading Council’s social care team making a difference

I’m really proud of the services that Reading Council offers to older and disabled residents in our town.  Despite the unbelievable levels of austerity that we face and the increases in population our dedicated staff makea real difference t opeoples lives.  That comes across in regular inspections from the Care …

Why Vote 100 matters

Today 100 years ago the Royal Assent was given to allow the first women to vote. Of course it was only one step on a longer journey towards equality that we are still on.  Particularly for women of colour, disabled women, lesbian, bi and transgender women and for working class …

Our NHS – we must defend it

Alongside fellow Reading Labour members, including a strong young Labour presence I joined the Emergency NHS march yesterday.  In some ways it was uplifting because of the unity of the campaigners, the solidarity and our belief in the NHS. But it was also saddening that of all the things that …

Blue Monday may be a myth – but let’s look out for each other

Today is known a “Blue Monday” – a date that is supposed to be the most miserable day of the year.  It’s a so-called scientific formula based on likely weather, debt/money worries, post Christmas lull, the failing in new year’s resolutions, and motivational levels. Of course anyone who either has …

Happy New Year

It is easy to forget all that happens in a year.  This one has despite everything had so many highlights for our local Labour team – these pics from my instagram feed were a good reminder: Tea and cake with Jeremy Corbyn, out and about in Whitley for ‘talktober’, the …

Well done to “Good” Whitley Wood Lane respite care home

I’m delighted to be able to share that Reading Borough Council’s service at 188 Whitley Wood Lane –  Respite Care for residents with learning disabilities has been once again been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). “Like the rest of the country, Reading faces huge challenges to ensure we …

Carers Rights Day

Today I was pleased to open the event that marked National Carers Rights Day.  In Reading alone, it is estimated that over 12,000 people provide some form of unpaid care for a friend, relative, or neighbour, who would not be able to cope without their support. The council and local …

A let down budget – not even meeting low expectations

It shouldn’t have been hard for today’s budget to exceed expectations – given the mess this government is in they were incredibly low, and given Philip Hammond’s reputation he should have been able to promise some support. I was following the announcements hoping for relief for under-paid public sector workers …

Guest post: Phoebe Cusden – a doer, a socialist and a Reading hero

Yesterday it was a delight to attend the unveiling of a plaque to Phoebe Cusden, and I was particularly struck by Robert Dimmick’s speech.  He’s kindly allowed me to reproduce it here: Phoebe Cusden was a person of wide and varied interests and commitments, to peace, to her own community, …

Last night’s council shows only Labour will stand up for Reading

Last night’s full council had a large portion of the agenda taken by the important discussion about the future of the Central Club site.   The stand out speech of the night was Cllr Sophia James responding to the petition, you can read her speech here but I would recommend watching it on …

Reading East MP pledges his support to scrap the bedroom tax

I was delighted that yesterday Matt Rodda MP pledged his support to the campaign to scrap the bedroom tax.  Matt joined Labour members, local councillors and local residents in calling on the new housing minister, the current Conservative MP for Reading West, Alok Sharma to scrap the bedroom tax. Matt …

My first reaction to hearing that Theresa May plans to talk about needing to increase council house building in her speech today was a hollow laugh. Throughout the general election campaign housing and the glaring need for council housing came up in my home of Reading West and in the …

National Community Wellbeing Board report back: Standing up for Local Health and Care Services

Today I attended the Local Government Association’s national board meeting on Health and Social Care. Along with 6 other Labour councillors from around the country my role is to put forward Labour’s agenda for health and social care on a cross-party board which is currently chaired by a Conservative.   Full …

Fire safety in flats

We all were shocked and appalled last week by the terrible fire in the Grenfell Tower that has killed so many people in Kensington and naturally the Reading community has stepped up to help, from residents collecting through to our Mayor speaking to the council’s emergency planning department asking that …

The dementia tax raises questions about Conservative fitness for government

I was originally going to publish this on Tuesday but due to the awful terrorist attack in Manchester I delayed as all candidates have been avoiding campaigning.  However I believe this issue is so vital I wanted to publish is now that campaigning has restarted. When the dementia tax was …

Government Cuts Force Council Tax Rises

———- Forwarded message ———-From: “Reading Borough Council” <webmaster@reading.gov.uk>Date: 3 Feb 2017 15:01Subject: Government Cuts Force Council Tax RisesTo: <Racheleden.whitley@gmail.com>Cc: Government Cuts Force Council Tax Rises 03/02/2017 Reading Borough Council Press Release READING Borough Council is recommending a 4.99% Council Tax increase for next year. It follows repeated and unprecedented cuts …

Reading Borough Council Publishes NHS Local Sustainable Transformation Plan

———- Forwarded message ———-From: “Reading Borough Council” <webmaster@reading.gov.uk>Date: 16 Nov 2016 10:05Subject: Reading Borough Council Publishes NHS Local Sustainable Transformation PlanTo: <Racheleden.whitley@gmail.com>Cc: Reading Borough Council Publishes NHS Local Sustainable Transformation Plan 16/11/2016 Reading Borough Council Press Release Reading Borough Council today (Nov 16) becomes the latest local authority to publish …

Council’s Community Equipment Recycling Drive Yields Fantastic Results

Great news all round: ———- Forwarded message ———-From: “Reading Borough Council” <webmaster@reading.gov.uk>Date: 4 Oct 2016 11:06 a.m.Subject: Council’s Community Equipment Recycling Drive Yields Fantastic ResultsTo: <Racheleden.whitley@gmail.com>Cc: Council’s Community Equipment Recycling Drive Yields Fantastic Results 04/10/2016 Reading Borough Council Press Release READING Borough Council’s drive to recover and recycle used community …

Reading Council Celebrates ‘Good’ Rating for Shared Lives Scheme from Inspectors

Very proud of Reading Council staff ———- Forwarded message ———-From: “Reading Borough Council” <webmaster@reading.gov.uk>Date: 3 Oct 2016 1:37 p.m.Subject: Reading Council Celebrates ‘Good’ Rating for Shared Lives Scheme from InspectorsTo: <Racheleden.whitley@gmail.com>Cc: Reading Council Celebrates ‘Good’ Rating for Shared Lives Scheme from Inspectors 03/10/2016 Reading Borough Council Press Release READING COUNCIL’S …

New Free Digital Resource for Carers in Berkshire Launched #rdg #rdguk

See below: Reading Borough Council Press Release A NEW online resource for carers in Berkshire launched this month to support them in their caring role. It is free to use and includes a number of useful online resources, including specially tailored Apps, guides and training courses, such as: Jointly – …

Help Shape the future of Mental Health Services in Reading

HE COUNCIL and its local partners are inviting people to help shape the future of Mental Health Services in Reading. A consultation is launching this week which aims to help inform how Reading’s Mental Health Day Services are delivered. The consultation is particularly relevant for people with professional and personal …